Our Toy Drive visited the Recovery Centers of America at Danvers and we were joined by Laura Ames, Recovery Centers' Chief Executive Officer and members of their staff. Danvers Police Sargent Steve Baldassare came on air with us too to share greetings from the Danvers Police Department. 

Join us today from noon to 2 on North Shore 104.9 as we broadcast live from Teresa's Italian Eatery in Middleton. Donations will go directly to Neighbors In Need. Invited guests today include Nik Yebba, owner of Teresa's, Melissa Gasper, Director of Flint Public Library, North Shore Chamber State Representative Ted Speliotis, Bob Bradford, President of the North Shore Chamber of Commerce, Inc., and Middleton Fire Chief Tom Martinuk of the Middleton Fire Department. 

 I invite you to tune in to 104.9 FM to hear the Toy Drive live, from noon to 2 PM, each workday until Friday the 11th. Help us help children in need.

 

Governor Charlie Baker Bolsters the Toy Drive

Governor Charlie Baker joined North Shore 104.9's Erika Hemingway and me for our North Shore Toy Drive visit today at the Institution for Savings. Not only did the Governor donate $250 in gift cards, but the bank also offered a challenge to match today's donations! I invite you to tune in to 104.9 FM to hear the Toy Drive live, from noon to 2 PM, each workday until Friday the 11th. Help us help children in need. 

Thanks to the Institution for Savings for hosting us and for their generosity.

 

Governor Charlie Baker's Briefing

Today at noon, Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito will join Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders to provide an update on Coronavirus. A live stream will be available at https://www.facebook.com/SenatorBruceTarr.

Gloucester's Christmas Tree Home at Kent Circle

Some folks know about my brother Ringo Tarr's extraordinary efforts each year to procure a Christmas tree for Gloucester's Kent Circle - this year, our tree made a unique and memorable journey with Boston's. 

Gloucester Times: Tree Comes By Sea For Gloucester Holiday Tradition

This has been a trying year for each and every one of us, our communities, and our nation, and we have faced new issues every day. And yet, these circumstances have also brought forward the strength, courage, and resilience of so many who have worked, sacrificed, and cared for our individual and collective needs. 

399 years ago, pilgrims in Plymouth, Massachusetts celebrated the "First Thanksgiving" in 1621. Their great gathering for friends and families to express appreciation for the necessities of life established itself a revered tradition. This Thanksgiving is very different from the ones that have come before; many of us are separated by the measures that protect us against the deadly virus that has taken such a heavy toll. And yet, I hope we will still find a way to give thanks - thanks to the people who have made a difference, thanks to the people in our lives who we care about and who care about us, and thanks for the promise of a brighter tomorrow that springs always from American perseverance, optimism, ingenuity, and a commitment to the fundamental values of justice, liberty, and equality for all. 

Wherever and however we gather this Thanksgiving, I hope that we will take the time to remember what's important, to think about each other, to remember those who serve our nation in the uniform of our country and in the uniforms of service, and to commit to renewing our efforts to understand each other better and forge ahead with the unity these times demand. 

 May you have a happy and safe Thanksgiving.

BAKER-POLITO ADMINISTRATION AWARDS OVER $3.2 MILLION IN ROAD SAFETY GRANT FUNDING

Governor Baker, Lieutenant Governor Polito and Executive Office of Public Safety & Security Secretary Thomas Turco announced the awarding of more than $3.2 million in federal grant funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

These critical funds will be distributed to 161 local police departments across the Commonwealth to reduce vehicle crashes, injuries, losses of life, and the resulting economic costs. Awards to 161 Municipal Police Departments Municipal Road Safety Program includes traffic enforcement campaigns such as Drive Sober, Click it or Ticket, Distracted Driving, Speed; equipment; non-enforcement traffic safety activities. 

These district communities were awarded grants: 

Georgetown $11,995 

Gloucester $24,930 

Groveland $11,946 

Hamilton $5,619 

Ipswich $20,000 

Manchester By The Sea $12,000 

Wenham $10,359 

Wilmington $25,000

North Reading Senior Thanksgiving Drive-Thru Event

Each year State Representative Brad Jones and I host the North Reading Council On Aging Thanksgiving Dinner. This year, we did it again but we made some necessary adjustments to create an amazing drive-through at Teresa’s / Hillview Country Club. 

Mary Anne Nay, Selectman, Town of Boxford my Deputy Director of Special Projects & Intergovernmental Relations and Dick Curran​ my Deputy Director of Constituent Services & Community Outreach helped us greet so many wonderful people. Special thanks to Mary Prenney the Director of the North Reading Senior Center, her staff, and volunteers for making this event so special.